The time it takes to smoke a brisket depends largely on its weight and the cooking temperature, but generally, you can expect the process to take anywhere from about 6 to 18 hours.
- For a 10-pound brisket, smoking at 225°F typically takes around 6-9 hours, plus at least 1 hour of resting time
- A 15-pound brisket usually requires 10-12 hours of smoking at 225°F, then resting for at least 1 hour
- Larger briskets, such as 20 pounds, can take 12-16 hours at 225°F, plus resting
- A common rule of thumb is about 30 to 60 minutes per pound at 225°F, meaning a 16-pound brisket might take 10-12 hours
- The process often involves an initial smoke phase until the internal temperature reaches about 160-165°F, followed by wrapping and continuing to cook until the internal temperature hits around 200-203°F
- The total smoking time including wrapping and resting typically ranges from 12 to 16 hours, though some cooks plan for up to 18 hours to allow for the "stall" phase where the temperature plateaus due to moisture evaporation
- Resting the brisket after smoking is important and usually takes at least 1 hour, sometimes longer if kept wrapped and insulated
Smoking at lower temperatures like 180°F can take longer, while 225°F is more common for a balance of time and tenderness
. In summary, plan for about 1.5 hours per pound at 225°F, with a total time of roughly 12-16 hours including resting, but be prepared for variation depending on the brisket size, smoker conditions, and the stall phase during cooking
